Fan report by Candace Hole.

I had the great pleasure to attend the "Face To Face" concert in Las Vegas on March 28, 2003 and it was fabulous! It had been two years since I first saw Elton and Billy in concert together (and then I had ‘nosebleed seats’ behind Elton) so I treated myself to a Rocket ticket this time.

I had a great 8th row center seat next to some other Rocket members who had also come to the concert solo like me. The lady to my left came from Colorado, and we discovered that we had both been at the Dodger Stadium concert on October 25, 1975! The lady to my right came all the way from Japan just to go to the two concerts in Las Vegas and see Elton!

Elton was at the top of his game (as always) and it was great to see him in his colorful outfits again, first in fuschia with mirrored wrap sunglasses and then in bright blue. I was geting tired of seeing him in basic black like he wore the last two times I saw him. Even his encore outfit was a change from the usual track suit, with orange pants and a purple sweatshirt.

By the way, the new hair style looks great onstage! The band seemed to be enjoying themselves as well, with Davey handing out several guitar picks to those in the front row (I want one of those seats next time!). It appeared that security only let the first row come up to the stage so there was no hope for me to get any closer this time.

Elton's set was the same as in previous shows on this tour, as were the three opening songs Elton and Billy did together.

Then it was Billy's turn to play, and he was sizzling! He looked very fit and played to the crowd, breaking into Viva Las Vegas during The River Of Dreams. He also did a couple of songs away from the piano at the microphone on center stage, dancing and really hamming it up. His band was really jamming too, with Crystal Taliefero providing stunning vocals on An Innocent Man and Mark Riveira playing a mean sax all night.

Billy even brought out a special guest that he introduced as his dentist from Long Island, Dr. Jerry. Billy said he talked him into letting him perform while he was "in the chair and under the gas", so Dr. Jerry came out in a tux and sang The Lady Is A Tramp. As he was leaving the stage he announced that Billy would be in his office on Monday morning doing root canals!

Of course the best part of the "Face To Face" show is when Billy and Elton play together. Not only do they sound great, but they horse around and seem to have a lot of fun with each other. Billy walked across both pianos during The Bitch Is Back, and Elton pretended to be a backup singer (along with Mark) and then came around to play Billy's piano with him during You May Be Right.

Although the concert lasted over three hours, as far as I was concerned it was over much too soon! I really wish they would come back to California so I can see them again soon!

Following is the complete set list of the Las Vegas show on March 28, 2003:

Elton John & Billy Joel


• Your Song
  
• Just The Way You Are
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
  Elton John & band
  
  
• Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
  
• Someone Saved My Life Tonight
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• The Wasteland
  
• I Want Love
  
• Rocket Man
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
• Crocodile Rock
  
  Billy Joel & band
  
  
• The River Of Dreams
  
• Viva Las Vegas
  
• Prelude/Angry Young Man
  
• Don't Ask Me Why
  
• Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
  
• An Innocent Man
  
• A Matter Of Trust
  
• I Go To Extremes
  
• New York State Of Mind
  
• It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
  
• Only The Good Die Young
  
• Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
  
  Elton John & Billy Joel
  
  
• My Life
  
• The Bitch Is Back
  
• You May Be Right
  
• Bennie And The Jets
  
• A Hard Day's Night
  
• Great Balls Of Fire
  
• Piano Man